“I didn’t think for a second that he was thinking of resigning or anything like that,” Cogswell said yesterday. “If you were to ask me a week and a couple of days ago about the board, I would say we are all working well and working well together.”

Metalious submitted a short handwritten resignation letter and returned the tablet computer issued to board members. Metalious, whose term expires in November, did not respond to a message or email seeking comment.

While the resignation was a surprise, Cogswell noted Metalious missed several recent budget hearings without giving notice.

“Usually when a board member is not going to be there, they let me know,” he said.

The board will now consider an appointment to fill the vacancy, Cogswell said. The district’s charter says the board president can appoint someone to serve the remainder of Metalious’s term. The board has not set a timetable to replace Metalious, but Cogswell said he plans to make an appointment. “I’m thinking about it, yes,” he said.

Cogswell said the board will move forward with eight of its nine members. “There have been times we have operated with eight, not while I’ve been president, but we’ve had resignations before,” he said.